My Best Friend's Girl (1983)

My Best Friend's Girl Poster
Original Title: La Femme de mon pote

The charming Pascal, owner of a clothing store in Courchevel, and the chubby and scruffy Micky, disc jockey in a nearby club, are best of friends. Pascal accumulates women, much to the chagrin of Micky, who is consoled of his failures by listening to his friend talk about his successes. Viviane arises, ravishing and icy, but she's seasonal. Pascal, sincerely in love, seduces her and then leaves. This is a dire situation for Micky: Pascal is far away and the beauty is so kind to him. Complications arise once Pascal returns.

Introduction
"My Best Friend's Girl" is a 1983 French film directed by Bertrand Blier. It stars Coluche as the energetic, outspoken Bernard, and Isabelle Huppert as the quiet, introverted Colette. The film checks out the styles of friendship, love, and the complexities of human relationships in a humorous and in some cases painfully truthful method.

Plot Summary
The film revolves around the relationship and love triangle in between Bernard, Colette, and her boyfriend, Philippe. Bernard and Colette are youth friends living in the exact same apartment building in Paris. Things take a twist when Bernard falls in love with Colette, his friend's sweetheart.

Bernard tries to win Colette's heart discreetly without injuring Philippe, played by Thierry Lhermitte. While trying to distract Philippe, he continuously attempts to make Colette conscious of her relationship with Philippe. At the same time, he tries to highlight his own feelings towards her. Bernard stages a series of intricate pranks and comedic events to achieve this goal.

Character Development
Throughout the film, Bernard's character develops from being a loud and somewhat immature jokester to ending up being more thoughtful and sensitive around Colette. On the other hand, Colette, at first unconcerned to Bernard's love, starts to observe the subtle changes in Bernard's habits and slowly values his feelings. In spite of his evident love for Colette, Bernard is careful not to exceed his limits, especially when he knows that his friend Philippe is in the photo.

Acclaimed Performance
Coluche's remarkable efficiency in "My Best Friend's Girl" made him the César Award for Best Actor in 1984. His method to the character was seriously acclaimed for recording the perfect balance between humor and melancholy. Huppert's representation of the shy and reserved Colette also got praise, as she successfully interacted the internal battle of her character.

Last Act and Conclusion
In the end, Colette is left with a choice in between Bernard and Philippe. Regardless of Bernard's efforts to win over Colette, she chooses to stay with Philippe, valuing Bernard however unable to reciprocate his sensations. Bernard, though heartbroken, accepts her decision with dignity and continues to support his friends.

"My Best Friend's Girl" concludes on a bittersweet note with audiences left in consideration about the essence of love, relationship, and sacrifice for the ones we appreciate. The film is not simply a comedy about a love triangle. It's a thought-provoking expedition of the layers of human relationships and feelings.

Critics' View
Critics applauded the movie for its sharp, witty dialogue, memorable characters, and subtle balance between funny and drama. They lauded the chemistry between the protagonist and Coluche's significant efficiency. The movie's exploration of the complexities of love and friendship has actually been highlighted as a standout function. Despite its release nearly 4 decades earlier, "My Best Friend's Girl" continues to be a pertinent and valued piece of cinema.

To sum it up, "My Best Friend's Girl" provides an emotional, amusing, and thought-provoking narrative with withstanding efficiencies by Coluche and Huppert. It's a timeless piece of cinema that offers a distinct look at the complexities of relationship, love, and the decisions we make when solving a love triangle. The film remains a classic in French cinema, blending comedic components with extensive contemplations on human relationships.

Top Cast

  • Coluche (small)
    Coluche
    Micky
  • Isabelle Huppert (small)
    Isabelle Huppert
    Viviane
  • Thierry Lhermitte (small)
    Thierry Lhermitte
    Pascal
  • François Perrot (small)
    François Perrot
    Le docteur
  • Daniel Colas (small)
    Daniel Colas
    Le dragueur
  • Frédérique Michot
    La fille à la discothèque
  • Farid Chopel (small)
    Farid Chopel
    Le loubard